Keeper of the Privy Seal of Scotland
Encyclopedia
The office of Keeper of the Privy Seal of Scotland, one of the Great Officers of State, first appears in the reign of David II
. After the Act of Union 1707 its holder was normally a peer
, like the Keeper of the Great Seal
. The office has remained unfilled since the death of Gavin, Marquess of Breadalbane in 1922.
Section 3 of the Public Offices (Scotland) Act 1817 limited the salary for the office to a maximum of £1,200 per annum. The salary was paid out of the fees charged for instruments passing the Privy Seal, after the salary of the Deputy Keeper had been paid.
David II of Scotland
David II was King of Scots from 7 June 1329 until his death.-Early life:...
. After the Act of Union 1707 its holder was normally a peer
Peerage
The Peerage is a legal system of largely hereditary titles in the United Kingdom, which constitute the ranks of British nobility and is part of the British honours system...
, like the Keeper of the Great Seal
Great Seal of Scotland
The Great Seal of Scotland allows the monarch to authorise official documents without having to sign each document individually. Wax is melted in a metal mould or matrix and impressed into a wax figure that is attached by cord or ribbon to documents that the monarch wishes to make official...
. The office has remained unfilled since the death of Gavin, Marquess of Breadalbane in 1922.
Section 3 of the Public Offices (Scotland) Act 1817 limited the salary for the office to a maximum of £1,200 per annum. The salary was paid out of the fees charged for instruments passing the Privy Seal, after the salary of the Deputy Keeper had been paid.
Keepers of the Privy Seal of Scotland
- 1371: Sir John Lyon
- ?
- 1424: Walter Foote, Provost of Bothwell
- 1426: John CameronJohn Cameron (bishop)John Cameron was a 15th century Scottish cleric, bishop of Glasgow, and Keeper of the Privy Seal.A licentiate in decrees , and provost of Lincluden, he became an official of the bishopric of St Andrews, and a canon of Glasgow, as well as secretary to Archibald Douglas, Earl of Wigtown, who...
, Provost of Lincluden, Bishop of Glasgow - 1432: William Foulis, Provost of Bothwell
- 1442: William Turnbull, canonCanon (priest)A canon is a priest or minister who is a member of certain bodies of the Christian clergy subject to an ecclesiastical rule ....
of GlasgowGlasgow CathedralThe church commonly known as Glasgow Cathedral is the Church of Scotland High Kirk of Glasgow otherwise known as St. Mungo's Cathedral.The other cathedrals in Glasgow are:* The Catholic Metropolitan Cathedral Church of Saint Andrew... - 1458: Thomas Spens, Bishop of GallowayBishop of GallowayThe Bishop of Galloway, also called the Bishop of Whithorn, was the eccesiastical head of the Diocese of Galloway, said to have been founded by Saint Ninian in the mid-5th century. The subsequent Anglo-Saxon bishopric was founded in the late 7th century or early 8th century, and the first known...
- 1459: John Arouse
- 1463: James Lindsay, Provost of Lincluden
- 1467: Thomas Spens (again), Bishop of AberdeenBishop of AberdeenThe Bishop of Aberdeen was the ecclesiastical head of the Diocese of Aberdeen, one of Scotland's 13 medieval bishoprics, whose first recorded bishop is an early 12th century cleric named Nechtan...
- 1470: William TullochWilliam TullochWilliam de Tulloch was a 15th century Scottish prelate. A native of Angus, he became a canon of Orkney, almost certainly brought there by his relative Thomas de Tulloch, Bishop of Orkney. He was provided to the bishopric upon the resignation of his cousin by Pope Pius II at the Apostolic see on 11...
, Bishop of OrkneyBishop of OrkneyThe Bishop of Orkney was the ecclesiastical head of the Diocese of Orkney, one of thirteen medieval bishoprics within the territory of modern Scotland. It included both Orkney and Shetland. It was based for almost all of its history at St...
, later of MorayBishop of MorayThe Bishop of Moray or Bishop of Elgin was the ecclesiastical head of the Diocese of Moray in northern Scotland, one of Scotland's 13 medieval bishoprics... - 1482: Andrew StewartAndrew Stewart (d. 1501)Andrew Stewart was a 15th century Scottish prelate and administrator.-Biography:Born between 1442 and 1444, he was the son of Joan Beaufort , widow of King James I of Scotland and former Queen-consort, and her second husband, James Stewart, the Black Knight of Lorne...
, Bishop of Moray and half-brother to James IIIJames III of ScotlandJames III was King of Scots from 1460 to 1488. James was an unpopular and ineffective monarch owing to an unwillingness to administer justice fairly, a policy of pursuing alliance with the Kingdom of England, and a disastrous relationship with nearly all his extended family.His reputation as the... - 1483: David Livingston, Provost of Lincluden
- 1489: John, Prior of St AndrewsPrior of St AndrewsThe Prior of St Andrews was the head of the property and community of Augustinian canons of St Andrews Cathedral Priory, St Andrews, Fife, Scotland. It was established by King David I in 1140 with canons from Nostell Priory, West Yorkshire...
- 1500: William ElphinstoneWilliam ElphinstoneWilliam Elphinstone was a Scottish statesman, Bishop of Aberdeen and founder of the University of Aberdeen.He was born in Glasgow, and educated at the University of Glasgow, taking the degree of M.A. in 1452. After practising for a short time as a lawyer in the church courts, he was ordained a...
, Bishop of AberdeenBishop of AberdeenThe Bishop of Aberdeen was the ecclesiastical head of the Diocese of Aberdeen, one of Scotland's 13 medieval bishoprics, whose first recorded bishop is an early 12th century cleric named Nechtan... - 1507: Alexander GordonAlexander Gordon (d. 1518)Alexander Gordon was a late medieval Scottish churchman. He was member of the kindred of the Earl of Huntly, being cousin to the reigning earl. He was the third son of James Gordon, Laird of Haddo...
, Bishop of AberdeenBishop of AberdeenThe Bishop of Aberdeen was the ecclesiastical head of the Diocese of Aberdeen, one of Scotland's 13 medieval bishoprics, whose first recorded bishop is an early 12th century cleric named Nechtan... - 1514: David, Abbot of ArbroathAbbot of ArbroathAbbot of Arbroath was the head of the Tironensian Benedictine monastic community of Arbroath Abbey, Angus, Scotland, founded under the patronage of King William of Scotland from Kelso Abbey and dedicated to St Thomas of Canterbury. The abbot, John Gedy, was granted the mitre on 26 June 1396...
- 1519: George, Abbot of HolyroodAbbot of HolyroodThe Abbot of Holyrood was the head of the Augustinian monastic community of Holyrood Abbey, now in Edinburgh. The long history of the abbey came to a formal end in July 1606 when the parliament of Scotland turned the abbey into a secular lordship for the last commendator, John Bothwell...
- 1526: George CrichtonGeorge CrichtonGeorge Crichton served as the Bishop of Dunkeld until his death on 24 January in 1543 or 1544.He served as Keeper of the Privy Seal of Scotland from 1526....
, Bishop of DunkeldBishop of DunkeldThe Bishop of Dunkeld is the ecclesiastical head of the Diocese of Dunkeld, one of the largest and more important of Scotland's 13 medieval bishoprics, whose first recorded bishop is an early 12th century cleric named Cormac... - ????: Robert Colvill, of Crawford
- 1542: David BeatonDavid BeatonThe Most Rev. Dr. David Cardinal Beaton was Archbishop of St Andrews and the last Scottish Cardinal prior to the Reformation.-Career:...
, Abbot of Arbroath, CardinalCardinal (Catholicism)A cardinal is a senior ecclesiastical official, usually an ordained bishop, and ecclesiastical prince of the Catholic Church. They are collectively known as the College of Cardinals, which as a body elects a new pope. The duties of the cardinals include attending the meetings of the College and...
Archbishop of St AndrewsArchbishop of St AndrewsThe Bishop of St. Andrews was the ecclesiastical head of the Diocese of St Andrews and then, as Archbishop of St Andrews , the Archdiocese of St Andrews.The name St Andrews is not the town or church's original name... - 1542: John Hamilton, Abbot of PaisleyAbbot of PaisleyThe Abbot of Paisley was the head of the Cluniac monastic community of Paisley Abbey and its property. The monastery was founded as a priory at Renfrew in 1163, but moved to Paisley in 1169. It became an abbey in 1219. The founder was Walter fitz Alan, Seneschal of Scotland...
, later Archbishop of St Andrews - 1547: William Ruthven, 2nd Lord RuthvenWilliam Ruthven, 2nd Lord RuthvenWilliam Ruthven, 2nd Lord Ruthven was a Scottish nobleman. He served as an Extraordinary Lord of Session and Keeper of the Privy Seal.-Life:...
- 1533: Alexander Seton, 1st Lord FyvieAlexander Seton, 1st Earl of DunfermlineAlexander Seton, 1st Earl of Dunfermline was a Scottish lawyer, judge and politician. He was Lord President of the Court of Session from 1598 to 1604 and Lord Chancellor of Scotland from 1604 to 1622....
- 1563: Sir Richard MaitlandRichard MaitlandSir Richard Maitland of Lethington and Thirlstane was a Senator of the College of Justice, an Ordinary Lord of Session from 1561 until 1584, and notable Scottish poet. He was served heir to his father, Sir William Maitland of Lethington, Haddingtonshire, and Thirlestane, Berwickshire, on 15...
, of Lethington - 1567: John MaitlandJohn Maitland, 1st Lord Maitland of ThirlestaneJohn Maitland, 1st Lord Maitland of Thirlestane, , Knight , was Lord Chancellor of Scotland.He was the second son of Sir Richard Maitland of Thirlestane, Berwickshire, and Lethington, Haddingtonshire, who settled the lands of Thirlestane upon him, and he was sent abroad for his education.Upon John...
, Prior of ColdinghamPrior of ColdinghamThe Prior of Coldingham was the head of the Benedictine monastic community of Coldingham Priory in Berwickshire. Coldingham Priory was founded in the reign of David I of Scotland, although his older brother and predecessor King Edgar of Scotland had granted the land of Coldingham to the Church of... - 1571: George BuchananGeorge Buchanan (humanist)George Buchanan was a Scottish historian and humanist scholar. He was part of the Monarchomach movement.-Early life:...
- 1581: John MaitlandJohn Maitland, 1st Lord Maitland of ThirlestaneJohn Maitland, 1st Lord Maitland of Thirlestane, , Knight , was Lord Chancellor of Scotland.He was the second son of Sir Richard Maitland of Thirlestane, Berwickshire, and Lethington, Haddingtonshire, who settled the lands of Thirlestane upon him, and he was sent abroad for his education.Upon John...
, Prior of ColdinghamColdinghamColdingham is a historic village in Berwickshire, Scottish Borders, on Scotland's southeast coastline, north of Eyemouth.As early as AD 660, Coldingham was the site of a religious establishment of high order, when it is recorded that Etheldreda, the queen of Egfrid, became a nun at the Abbey of... - 1583: Walter StewartWalter Stewart, 1st Lord BlantyreWalter Stewart, 1st Lord Blantyre was a Scottish nobleman.The son of Sir John Stewart of Minto and Margaret Stewart of Cardonald...
, commendator of Blantyre - 1595: Sir Richard Cockburn, of Clerkington
- 1626: Thomas Hamilton, 1st Earl of MelroseThomas Hamilton, 1st Earl of HaddingtonThomas Hamilton, 1st Earl of Haddington , designated before his peerage as 'of Drumcarny, Monkland, and Binning', was a Scottish administrator, Lord Advocate, judge, and Lord Lieutenant of Haddingtonshire.-Family:...
, later 1st Earl of Haddington - 1641: Robert Ker, 1st Earl of RoxburgheRobert Ker, 1st Earl of RoxburgheRobert Ker, 1st Earl of Roxburghe was a Scottish nobleman. He was the eldest son of William Ker of Cessford , and grandson of Sir Walter Ker of Cessford , who fought against Mary, Queen of Scots, both at Carberry Hill and at Langside.He helped James VI against Bothwell...
- 1649: John Gordon, 14th Earl of SutherlandJohn Gordon, 14th Earl of SutherlandJohn Gordon was the 14th Earl of Sutherland. He was married to Lady Jean Drummond. He was appointed by the Parliament of Scotland to the post of Keeper of the Privy Seal of Scotland in 1649 and he held the post until 1660. He is the only Keeper of the Privy Seal of Scotland to be appointed by the...
(appointed by the Parliament) - 1660: William Keith, 7th Earl MarischalWilliam Keith, 7th Earl MarischalWilliam Keith, 7th Earl Marischal was a Scottish nobleman and Covenanter. He was the eldest son of William Keith, 6th Earl Marischal...
- 1661: Charles Seton, 2nd Earl of DunfermlineCharles Seton, 2nd Earl of DunfermlineCharles Seton, 2nd Earl of Dunfermline PC , styled Lord Fyvie until 1622, was a Scottish peer.Seton the son of Alexander Seton, 1st Earl of Dunfermline and Margaret, daughter of James Hay, 7th Lord Hay of Yester and Lady Margaret Kerr...
- 1672: John Murray, 2nd Earl of AthollJohn Murray, 1st Marquess of AthollJohn Murray, 1st Marquess of Atholl, KT was a leading Scottish royalist and defender of the Stuarts during the English Civil War of the 1640s, until after the rise to power of William and Mary in 1689...
, later 1st Marquess of Atholl - 1689: Archibald Douglas, 1st Earl of ForfarArchibald Douglas, 1st Earl of ForfarArchibald Douglas, 1st Earl of Forfar, 2nd Earl of Ormonde was a Scottish peer.He was the second son and youngest child of Archibald Douglas, Earl of Angus and 1st Earl of Ormond, by his second wife, Jean Wemyss, the daughter of David Wemyss, 2nd Earl of Wemyss and the Hon. Anna Balfour of Burleigh...
- 1689: John Keith, 1st Earl of KintoreJohn Keith, 1st Earl of KintoreSir John Keith, 1st Earl of Kintore was a Scottish nobleman.The fourth son of William Keith, 5th Earl Marischal, he held Dunnottar Castle against Oliver Cromwell, and preserved the regalia in 1650...
- 1689: John Carmichael, 2nd Lord CarmichaelJohn Carmichael, 1st Earl of HyndfordJohn Carmichael, 1st Earl of Carmichael , known as Lord Carmichael between 1672 and 1701, was a Scottish nobleman and politician....
- 1690: George Melville, 1st Earl of MelvilleGeorge Melville, 1st Earl of MelvilleGeorge Melville, 1st Earl of Melville was a Scots aristocrat and statesman during the reigns of William and Mary.In 1643, he succeeded his father as Lord Melville.-Career:...
- 1695: James Douglas, 2nd Duke of QueensberryJames Douglas, 2nd Duke of QueensberryJames Douglas, 2nd Duke of Queensberry and 1st Duke of Dover was a Scottish nobleman.He was the eldest son of William Douglas, 1st Duke of Queensberry and his wife Isabel Douglas, daughter of William Douglas, 1st Marquess of Douglas.Educated at the University of Glasgow, he was appointed a...
- 1702: John Murray, 2nd Marquess of AthollJohn Murray, 1st Duke of AthollJohn Murray, 1st Duke of Atholl, KT, PC was a Scottish nobleman, politician, and soldier. He served in numerous positions during his life, and fought in the Glorious Revolution for William III and Mary II....
, later 1st Duke of Atholl - 1705: James Douglas, 2nd Duke of QueensberryJames Douglas, 2nd Duke of QueensberryJames Douglas, 2nd Duke of Queensberry and 1st Duke of Dover was a Scottish nobleman.He was the eldest son of William Douglas, 1st Duke of Queensberry and his wife Isabel Douglas, daughter of William Douglas, 1st Marquess of Douglas.Educated at the University of Glasgow, he was appointed a...
- 1709: James Graham, 1st Duke of MontroseJames Graham, 1st Duke of MontroseJames Graham, 1st Duke and 4th Marquess of Montrose was a Scottish aristocratic statesman in the early eighteenth century....
- 1713: John Murray, 1st Duke of AthollJohn Murray, 1st Duke of AthollJohn Murray, 1st Duke of Atholl, KT, PC was a Scottish nobleman, politician, and soldier. He served in numerous positions during his life, and fought in the Glorious Revolution for William III and Mary II....
- 1714: John Ker, 1st Duke of RoxburgheJohn Ker, 1st Duke of RoxburgheJohn Ker, 1st Duke of Roxburghe, PC, FRS was the second son of Robert Ker, 3rd Earl of Roxburghe, and Margaret Hay, daughter of John Hay, 1st Marquess of Tweeddale. He was younger brother to Robert Ker, 4th Earl of Roxburghe....
- 1715: William Johnston, 1st Marquess of Annandale
- 1721: Archibald Campbell, 1st Earl of IlayArchibald Campbell, 3rd Duke of ArgyllArchibald Campbell, 3rd Duke of Argyll, 1st Earl of Ilay was a Scottish nobleman, politician, lawyer, businessman and soldier...
- 1733: James Murray, 2nd Duke of AthollJames Murray, 2nd Duke of AthollJames Murray, 2nd Duke of Atholl KT PC , styled Marquess of Tullibardine between 1715 and 1746, was a Scottish peer.-Background:...
- 1763: The Hon. James Stuart-MackenzieJames Stuart-MackenzieJames Stuart-Mackenzie was a Scottish politician.Born James Stuart, he was a younger son of James Stuart, 2nd Earl of Bute, and his wife Lady Anne, daughter of Archibald Campbell, 1st Duke of Argyll. Prime Minister John Stuart, 3rd Earl of Bute, was his elder brother...
- 1765: Lord Frederick Campbell
- 1765: John Campbell, 3rd Earl of Breadalbane and HollandJohn Campbell, 3rd Earl of Breadalbane and HollandJohn Campbell, 3rd Earl of Breadalbane and Holland KB , styled Lord Glenorchy from 1716 until 1752, was a Scottish nobleman, diplomat and politician.-Background and education:...
- 1766: The Hon. James Stuart-MackenzieJames Stuart-MackenzieJames Stuart-Mackenzie was a Scottish politician.Born James Stuart, he was a younger son of James Stuart, 2nd Earl of Bute, and his wife Lady Anne, daughter of Archibald Campbell, 1st Duke of Argyll. Prime Minister John Stuart, 3rd Earl of Bute, was his elder brother...
- 1800: Henry DundasHenry Dundas, 1st Viscount MelvilleHenry Dundas, 1st Viscount Melville PC and Baron Dunira was a Scottish lawyer and politician. He was the first Secretary of State for War and the last person to be impeached in the United Kingdom....
, later 1st Viscount Melville - 1811: Robert Saunders Dundas, 2nd Viscount Melville
- 1851: vacant
- 1853: Fox Maule Ramsay, 2nd Baron Panmure, later 11th Earl of Dalhousie
- 1874: Schomberg Henry Kerr, 9th Marquess of Lothian
- 1900: Ronald Ruthven Leslie-Melville, 11th Earl of LevenRonald Ruthven Leslie-Melville, 11th Earl of LevenRonald Ruthven Leslie-Melville, 11th Earl of Leven and 10th Earl of Melville KT PC DL was a Scottish nobleman....
- 1907: Gavin Campbell, 1st Marquess of BreadalbaneGavin Campbell, 1st Marquess of BreadalbaneGavin Campbell, 1st Marquess of Breadalbane KG, PC, JP, DL , styled Lord Glenorchy between 1862 and 1871 and known as The Earl of Breadalbane and Holland between 1871 and 1885, was a Scottish nobleman and Liberal politician.-Background and education:Campbell was born at Fermoy, County Cork, the...
- 1922: vacant
Sources
- J. Haydn, The Book of Dignities, 1894
- François Velde, in thread "Keepers of the Privy Seal of Scotland, 1874–1907", newsgroup alt.talk.royalty, 26 April 2005